Each year, thousands of bright yellow ducks take to the Merrimack River in a race toward the finish line. Participants can adopt a duck for a chance to win exciting prizes while supporting the Downtown Nashua Association’s work to enhance, revitalize, and celebrate downtown through free community events and programs.

Adopted ducks are entered into our E-Quack database, where each participant’s ducks are recorded. In the days leading up to the race, volunteers carefully tag the bottom of every duck that will compete in the river — all 5,000 of them. Tag numbers are randomly assigned by computer to ensure every duck has an equal chance at victory. When race day arrives, every adopted duck will be in the water.

At approximately 3:00 PM, all 5,000 ducks will be launched into the Nashua River from the footbridge between the Clocktower Apartments and the Cotton Mill Apartments. The first three ducks to cross the finish line will win cash prizes:

First Duck: $1,500
Second Duck: $750
Third Duck: $500

In addition to the race itself, this year’s Regatta introduces team competition. Community groups, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to form teams, rally their supporters, and see who can adopt the most ducks. The team with the highest total of ducks sold will earn a $2,500 donation made in their name to a Greater Nashua nonprofit of their choice, adding another layer of impact to the race.

Looking for a fun way to surprise someone? Try Ducking Someone. For a $50 donation, you can rent one of our giant inflatable ducks for the weekend and place it on the lawn of your choosing. Ducks are picked up at the Downtown Nashua Association office and come with everything you need, including ropes, stakes, and an inflator to get your duck standing tall. It’s the perfect way to surprise a friend, celebrate a coworker, or give your neighbor something unexpected to wake up to.

When race day arrives, 5,000 ducks hit the Merrimack at once and it’s every duck for itself. Grab a spot along the river, watch the chaos unfold, and see which lucky duck comes out on top.